Saturday, May 23, 2015

Denim Update

******Important Update: As of December 31, 2015 this pattern will be available only in my Etsy Shop - LucysQuilts******

On Saturday, December 12, 2009, I wrote a post on this blog about the denim quilts I have made. I have been amazed at the number of quilters who wanted the pattern. As Facebook gained popularity with some of us 'older folks' and Pinterest took off that number just kept going up. At first it was a few people a month who either emailed me or left a comment with their email address, then a few a week. Then I was asked by Marina and Daryl at Quilt Inspiration if they could do a post and they did. Then things really picked up! There would be days when I got 10 or more and I knew that someone new had pinned a picture on Pinterest. About a week ago someone posted a photo on the Quilt Along with Pat Sloan Facebook Group page and requests shot up once again. I was looking for the picture thread there today though and it seems to have been deleted. Not sure what that is about.Anyway, since 2009 I have gotten over 1100 comments on the blog post and probably at least another 1000 emails with requests for the pattern. Which means I have sent the pattern to more than 2000 quilters in the us and around the world! Crazy, to think about! Unfortunately, some comments did not include an email address so I was unable to fulfill the requests. I also moderate comments as I was getting a lot of spam. Because of this there is a delay before a comment is posted so some people commented more than once thinking it didn't work. I usually only publish one comment per person in those cases. Also, if you don't want your inbox filled with comments from other folks make sure you check your settings.I have changed the pattern slightly over the years and my latest version has a new size added to it (60" X 80"). I have tried to add more information to the pattern to answer some of the questions I have received from folks over the years. The most commonly asked questions is whether you should add seam allowance to the measurements I have given and the answer is a resounding NO! It is included in the 2", 4", 6", etc. Also, the strips ARE cut 1" wide.I have never charged for the pattern, but I have given folks information about making donations to a couple of charities. First it was Relay for Life to help fight cancer, but more recently I have asked for donations to Lutheran World Relief.Lutheran World Relief is an organization that helps people all around the world by providing quilts, soap, personal care kits, school kits, layettes and sewing kits to people with nothing. They also have a program working to fight malaria and a program to provide people and villages with livestock, wells, schools, etc. I am very proud of the work they do all over the world. They are currently on the ground in Nepal following the devastating earthquakes there. In March, when my husband and I took our two oldest grandchildren to the east coast we were able to visit one of the LWR warehouses in Maryland and the kids were able to watch as they squished quilts and wrapped them in bales to prepare them for shipping.

The quilt folding area and pallets with bales of quilts.

Almost done making a bale.

Folding the quilts to be baled.

Weighing a bale.

Here is a link if you are interested in learning more or would like to donate click here: Donate to LWR To donate in my honor you will need my mailing address: Alicia Wells, PO Box 596, Olalla WA 98359.
In the email that I send out with the pattern I also have asked quilters to send me pictures of quilts they have made using the pattern and here are..

A two-piece cover for the couch in Marilyn's motor home.

Rhoda in South Dakota made this one along with the next two.

Made from Crown Royal bags

From Karin in the UK. She said that she enjoyed cutting the pieces and figuring out the layout but the quilting was a bit daunting so she put it in the cupboard for a while to percolate and then finished it in one day!

The quilting is fun on this one by Virginia

Birgit's versionShe added rows to make it larger.

This one is from Judith.

This one is from Michelle who added an extra row to make it long enough for her son.

From Cindy

Memory Quilt made by Glenda

Becky made this for a raffle. She wasn't happy with the way it turned out but I think it is great!

This is one started at the class I did for my quilt guild.

This one has wider sashing. Becky did it as a Quilt As You Go.

Here is a shot of the back

Susan used decorative stitching for the quilting on the strips on this test sample.

Phyllis used a maroonish red for the strips

Linda made this for her granddaughter, Amanda.

Phil did this larger adaptation, saying, "the quilt was surprisinglyeasier than I expected it to be."

This one is a work in progressfrom a first time quilter.

Jackie made this for her grandson. I think he likes it.

Sandra added extra rows and used red for sashing.

From JenniferCan you see the darker 'bat' shape in there?

This is Susan from Australia showing the quilt she made for her son using his jeans.

Mary made this king size top

using some added bits of lace and

some buttons along with blocks

from various embroidered

denim shirts, jackets and jumpers.

Melissa made this one and embroidered a squirrel, her god-daughter's name and her college name.

Ann made this one using platinum strips and added some pillow shams for her son.

This is Theresa's WIP for her daughter with an Americana theme.

These pictures really show the versatility of this pattern! I am currently working (when I get a chance) on using up all the denim I have. I am guessing I have enough to make 10-20 or more quilts using the new 60" X 80" pattern.So, if after reading this update you want the updated pattern, either comment and give me your email address or click on View My Profile on the right and then click on Email Me on the left.

My husband loves this pattern and has asked me to make this for him. Please send pattern to baumgartner0707@yahoo.com. Thank you in advance. I am not going to use denim but regular cotton fabric. I will send a picture when ibhave it completed. Angie Baumgartner

How exciting to have so many quilters interested in your work. I still haven't made your first pattern but I would like a copy of your second design. I really like the variety in all the photos you posted.

Hi, I clicked the link to email you to you to kindly ask for this pattern. I am so inspired by all the lovely quilts everyone made from it! I can't wait to make one for my son! I have a ton of denim to recycle! gstone1957 at gmail.com

Hey there, These are fantastic. Will you please send me the updated version? Thank you so much, I have been saving jeans for ages and was going to make a rug with them, but I think I would like to do this instead. akinssandra@gmail.com

Your quilt pattern is really quite lovely and versatile! I love that you've shared pictures of others work as it really shows how you can get such a variety of looks from the same pattern. I also wanted to thank you for being so generous with your pattern with all the other quilters over the years. I'm sure all those quilts were received with great appreciation!

I would be very grateful if you would send me the updated pattern. I absolutely love it!!Thank you so much!

This is the perfect pattern to make a memory quilt for my grandson; from my son's jeans (he was killed by a drunk driver); a quilt made with dad's jeans would be a comfort item for him. I would appreciate a copy of the pattern. Thanks for sharing this wonderful pattern

I received the pattern, and thank you so much! It is well written, well illustrated, very concise and very easy to understand. I have started cutting out the denim pieces, and I can't wait to start assembling them into this lovely quilt! I am also considering ideas for a plain cotton version, perhaps solid primary colors (similar to a Mondrian painting), or even pastels. Again, thank you for the pattern, you have done a great job with it, and it is very sweet of you to share it with so many! Gina.

The sashing between the blocks to reduce seam bulkiness is genius! I have been saving denim to make a quilt since I got married 21 years ago. But I hadn't found the "right" pattern. Now I have. I would love to have a copy of the pattern. Thanks so much!

I saw this quilt a friend had made and started saving jeans. now the pile is large and I'm ready to start. Thank you for being so willing to share this pattern . We are having a Relay for Life fund raiser here in our town right now so would like to go and donate to that . Thank you again for sharing this pattern cropleys@aol.com Jo Cropley Sitka Ak cant wait to get the pattern to start .

I enjoy working with recycled fabrics, including denim, and would love to receive a copy of your pattern. Thank you so much for making it available! My email: desertmom88 @ gmail. com (leave out spaces).

Would you believe I've just gotten the squares cut for the first version of this quilt? I'd really appreciate the updated (enlarged) pattern. I can't stop looking at old jeans in thrift stores. I find it hard to find 100% cotton, but I'll keep looking. Thanks. marclarke@aol.com

I would love to have this pattern. I have been saving old jeans for awhile and not quite knowing what I was going to do with them.w.briesch@outlook.com Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing this pattern.

It is a serendipity moment!! The quilt pattern you developed looks very similar to a tile floor pattern at the Phoenix Terminal 4. I took a picture of that floor as inspiration for a quilt. Now, I can use your pattern. Great! clarachandler@centurylink.net. Thank you so much.

I just came across your awesome pattern!! I have been saving jeans for a while, but like you, I found that you can't get a lot of big squares out of a pair of jeans. With your pattern there is almost NO waste!!! I would really appreciate it, if you could send me the new pattern.Thank you so muchTheae-mail: thehel@hotmail.com

Your quilt and the other ones you shared are beautiful! It's fun to see the many different ways the pattern looks by just changing the fabric color. It is very generous of you to share the pattern and updates with others. I would love to have the pattern. I've always wanted to make a denim quilt but was afraid of the bulky seams. This pattern sounds like it solves that problem. My email address is ljgasner@hotmail.com. Thanks again for your generosity.

LucyFabulous! My hands are so sore from cutting apart jeans to get started on this quilt. Now I must ask, no, beg for the pattern. The stained glass is stunning sewn in denim. Please email to my daughter Jbirich@windstream.net Thanks a million times in advance,Suzanne Birich

I would love to join your ranks of inspired quilters! I have a goodly supply of recycled denim though I may soon regret to all the stuff I gave away before I moved. Like you, I have already been thinking about thrift stores, especially for the odd colors of denim. But I might try this with some of my various collections of fabric - lots of cat stuff, and space, and western.. and more! Ooh! My email is azearthdog@yahoo.com.

Thanks for the inspiration! Love seeing your quilts and those that others have made!

I have requested a pattern to the denim quilt before but it must have got lost in cyber space. I LOVE this quilt and my daughter wants a denim quilt and I'd like to use this pattern. Can you please email it to me please? Thanks, Linda McMillan ladymc53@yahoo.com July 15, 2015 3:35 PM

Hi, Alicia! Great job on your quilts. I make a lot of quilts for Quilts of Valor. I am always looking for patterns where I can use up red, white and blue scraps in new and creative ways to make even more quilts. This looks like a great option. I will gladly contribute to LWR in your name. Thanks!

I would love to receive the pattern and instructions for making these denim quilts. Bless you for the charitable donation idea that pays it forward. I have enough denim to donate some quilts to, after they are made! Thanks in advance. My email address is trudyrutledge48@gmail.com

Your quilt pictures have inspired me for over a year! I have finally started and would like to receive the pattern. I have been deconstructing donated jeans for over a month and I am so excited! Thanks in advance. My email is larahna@gmail.com

I love reading your blog and seeing all of the pictures of beautiful quilts done by those you've inspired! I, too, have been involved with LWR through the quilting group at my former church. (My family recently relocated.) I've been going through my bins of denim (yes, I packed and moved them), and I would love to use your pattern. In the past I've just done basic square with rivets at the corners. The sashing in your pattern sets the denim off so nicely, and I love the idea of not having to sew denim to denim. Thank you so much, and happy sewing!

I really really love this quilt, I have piles of Jeans that I need to do something with and this is the pattern I want to use. If you could please send me the pattern I would really appreciate it. my email is cathy.davis@cesco.com

Love your quilt... I have been collecting denim and now it is time to use it and would love to use your pattern.. I really like the black between all of the blocks. Thank you my email is pcmoore59@gmail.com

Hi Lucy, I love your blog about the denim quilts. Each one is interesting and unique. I want to make my son a jeans quilt and would appreciate it if you could send me the pattern. I have been looking for a Frank Lloyd Wrightish pattern as well, and think I might adapt this to that style. Thanks so much. Happy quilting.

I so loved your pattern and all the variations! I was looking for hours on pinteret trying to find a pattern that would look kind of like an aeral view of farmland. With a few variations I think this pattern would work fantastic! Could I get your pattern? Thanks!Leslieleslie.neville@gmail.com

Aarti here from India. I've been looking for instructions to making a stained glass quilt. That's how I came upon your blog. I think it's super of you to share your pattern. I would like the pattern too, though I'm not in a position to contribute to your charities. I understand if that's a must and you can't share else. My email id is aarti_durvasula@yahoo.com

I love this design and have a box of denim saved from years ago. The universe finally provided a reason to make something with them.I would love a copy of this great pattern: Sewnwithcurves@gmail.comThanks for your generosity!

Hi there. Several years ago I stumbled across your wonderful pattern, requested it, and subsequently made a throw for the back of our couch and two smaller matching ones for the back of our chairs. Have had many comments on them. I see that you have an updated version of the pattern and I would love to have a copy because I suspect there might be one or two more of these I'll be making in the future. My email addy is marmic1954 AT hotmail DOT com. Thank you SO much!!

My blog friend Magpie Mumblings posted a link to your blog. I have greatly admired the quilt she made using your pattern. I have been saving jeans since I first saw it. I would love to have the pattern.

I have been saving jeans for a while now with intentions of making a quilt with them. I have just seen your blog and really like what you have done with quilting with jeans. Please email me the pattern. Thank you so much. phedrick123@gmail.com

so many quilts, so little time! Love, Love this pattern, lots and lots of possibilities for creativity as evidenced by the posted pics! I would greatly appreciate you sending me the pattern at debdalton@sbcglobal.net. Thank you!

I love your pattern. I've been saving my daughters jeans since they were born in anticipation of making quilts for graduation. Currently they are 15 & 16. Now my friend are giving me their families jeans in so I'll make quilts for their kids graduation. I'd love to get your pattern. My email address is lmehlhaus@msn.com.Thanks a mucho!

I don't know how I stumbled onto your blog but it must be Divine Providence. I have many old denim jeans and scraps and would love to make some of these for family. I will also use the pattern to make some quilts to donate thru my quilt guild to the maternity dept of our community hospital, for mothers who remain drug free. God bless you...

Thank you for your generosity in sharing your denim quilt pattern. I would dearly love to have the pattern, and thank you in advance. I will donate to your charity very willingly. Thanks again,Donnatruman.fabfrenchie@gmail.com

Thank you for posting all the beautiful pictures...they're great to get the creative juices flowing. I would love to work on my own creation with your new pattern. Thank you for your generosity. tina.shambaugh@gmail.com